The news broadcaster CNN has issued a public apology after mistakenly including footage of a Dolly Parton tribute act in their reporting on the late singer’s death.
On Tuesday night, following the news that the Jolene singer had died at the age of 80, the current affairs show Laura Coates Live included a segment paying tribute to the late Grammy winner.
However, included in this was a photo of Las Vegas impersonator Kelly Vohnn rather than Dolly herself.
A CNN spokesperson later told Deadline: “We regret the error and apologise to the Parton family.”
Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Focus Features
Kelly later posted a statement on Instagram which read: “I did not give anyone my likeness to be used in any way to fool people into thinking I am the real Dolly Parton. This has happened a couple of times now and it’s not OK.
“I don’t own these images. These photos were taken during a red carpet event in Las Vegas for the opening of the movie Song Sung Blue where multiple impersonators attended.”
She added: “My goal is to carry on [Dolly’s] giving, loving legacy in the world. We need reporters to do better due diligence when broadcasting to prevent [fake news].”
“I want to say, in no way, shape or form, have I ever given permission to anyone to allow them to use my image and say that I am Dolly Parton,” she said in the accompanying video. “I would never fool people that way. I am an impersonator.
“People know that they’re buying tickets to see an impersonator, and I would never say that I’m Dolly Parton.”
Kelly also told the New York Post: “I started getting all these texts in from friends saying that I was on CNN, and I couldn’t believe it.”
“I was already heartbroken at losing Dolly because of how much she has given to me as a woman and an artist,” she added. “But then to see these images of me on screen was just weird.”
Dolly’s team has confirmed that the singer died in hospital on Tuesday following what they described as a “brief battle with cancer”.
The legendary musician is to be laid to rest in a “small” and “private” funeral attended by close family, with fans being encouraged to donate to one of her charity initiatives in her memory.
